Making cooking fun for kids isn’t as scary as it sounds. One of the things I think I have done very right is teaching my kids to cook, and to be able to work in the kitchen at home, so eventually when they leave home, they will at least have that skill. For me, food is love, and sharing that love with my kids, and equipping them with the skills to cook and feed themselves has worked well, for them. They both can cook for themselves and others. This is becoming a lost skill, and I think it’s important to try and bring it back.
Learning to cook is a valuable skill for kids, and it’s about much more than just making meals. For starters, cooking teaches them independence. If they know how to make themselves something to eat, they’re not reliant on others, which is great for when they’re older and living on their own. Plus, it boosts their confidence. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in creating something from scratch and seeing others enjoy it.
Cooking also encourages healthy eating habits. When kids learn to cook, they get a better understanding of the ingredients in their food. They’re more likely to choose wholesome, nutritious meals over processed, unhealthy options. It can even make them more willing to try new foods they might otherwise avoid.
Beyond that, cooking helps with maths and science. Whether it’s measuring ingredients, understanding fractions, or watching how heat changes the texture of food, kids are picking up basic skills in a fun, hands-on way. It’s also great for teaching patience and following instructions, since they need to wait for the right time to add ingredients or cook something thoroughly. Many of the world’s great chefs and cooks learned to cook at home with their families before going on to learn to be professional chefs at culinary school, or working in restaurants to start their careers
Socially, cooking can be a way for kids to bond with family. Cooking together can be a special way to spend time, whether it’s baking cakes on a rainy afternoon or making pizza for a movie night. It also teaches them about responsibility – like tidying up after themselves!
Overall, learning to cook equips kids with practical life skills, makes them more health-conscious, and gives them the chance to be creative. It’s a fun and important step towards growing up and becoming self-sufficient.
Obviously the best way to get kids enjoying time in the kitchen is to cook with them, but you can also get creative and use tools like computer or online games to help them to work on imagination and creative skills.
Games that test their multitasking skills, to get their brains moving faster, are always fun, and this counting how to boil an egg game does just that.
Cooking and kitchen skills are not just about being in the kitchen, learning to shop and budget are important too, and a game that gets their minds thinking about that and challenging them, is a fun way to build on skills.
Whilst playing games isn’t going to produce real life food, it can be a fun way to help them learn, encourage positive thinking about food and inspire them to be more interested in cooking and the food they eat.
I wonder if there is a computer or online game to teach them to tidy up in the kitchen, after themselves? I am off to see if I can find one…